Having Good Character as a Teacher

Whether it is in the classroom, managing teachers, or working with one another…children look to adults for instruction in every way of life.

"If wisdom's ways you wisely seek,
Five things observe with care;
Of whom you speak,
To whom you speak,
And how,
And when,
And where...."

"Never, for the sake of peace and quiet, deny your own experience or convictions."
~Dag Hammarskjold

“Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are to some extent a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece—by thought, choice, courage and determination."
~John Luther

“While you, the leader, can teach many things, character is not taught easily to adults who arrive at your desk lacking it. Be cautious about taking on reclamation projects regardless of the talent they may possess. Have the courage to make character count among the qualities you seek in others." ~John Wooden

"Every man has three characters—that which he exhibits, that which he has, and that which he thinks he has."
~Alphonse Karr

“Mountaintops inspire leaders but valleys mature them."
~Winston Churchill

Encouraging Active Participation in Preschoolers

 “Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared.”
Eddie Rickenbacker, World War 1 hero

I love positivism. It comforts me like a warm blanket. Within the preschool learning environment, one way to inject it immediately is through applause. Yes, applause. In my classroom we clap and cheer for one another constantly and for everything. We also take it a step further. Within the curriculum we will clap for the heroines in the stories we read, the coats we have managed to put on, the sticky little hands we have washed…The children are learning to notice and to respond to one another in positive ways. Individually and as a group.
I recall a little boy in my three’s class. He’s name was Marcus, and he loved ketchup. He elected on his own not to speak at preschool, but today was the day he decided to talk. One day we were all sitting at the snack table and he let out a low soft whisper, “Please, I have ketchup, please”.
Everyone froze. Some children even froze with spoonfuls of cheesy mac still in their chubby cheeks. Finally, Mei-Mei broke the silence, “Wow! You talk! Let’s clap for the man!” We all began to clap and cheer. Marcus smiled a big Cheshire Cat grin as he stood up and bowed. “Hey!” I suggested, “Marcus, may we show you how happy we are for you by giving you a ‘standing ovation’?” Marcus nodded in approval. I explained to the children that when you stand up and clap for somebody that means you think they did something great. They all agreed, and it was the start of something wonderful! At our circle time gatherings, we had children regularly report accomplishments that needed ‘standing ovations’. It built such a sense of community in the classroom; to see children so young learning to encourage one another to overcome heartbreaking obstacles in their lives. For children so small, it is such a great and wonderful thing!

Great Gift Ideas For Parents

“Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body.”
-Elizabeth Stone

I enjoy finding unique gift ideas for parents. Here is one I have done on occasion and the children love decorating the jar lid or box with lots of color and dimension. On the outside we decorate a card with the "What's in the jar" explanation. It's always a hit!

What’s in the Jar:
1 bag of pennies-It’s okay not to have all the answers if you have good common ‘sense’.
1 bag of Sweet & Sour candy-Because we love our children through it all.
1 box of Crayons-to remind you sometimes you’ve got to get creative.
1 pair of wax lips-For those times you have to keep a stiff upper lip.
1 puzzle piece-A gentle reminder you are an important “piece” of this child’s life.
1 bag of chocolate mints-Because all you do is worth a ‘mint’.

These are great do-it yourself gift ideas for any or all occasions!

Humorous Gift Ideas For Your Teachers

“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted.”
-Garrison Keillor


We do love getting gifts. Here is a really cute idea a parent sent me in a small decorated box from one of the kids. I thought it was a great gift idea to share and pass on.
There was a card attached to it that had this written on the inside.

What’s inside the box:
1 candle-Because you always burn it at but ends.
1 bag of Sun Chips-You know how to brighten everyone’s day.
1 bag of marbles-Just in case you lost some of yours.
1 small bag of sugar-You know how to sweeten sour faces.
1 bag of rubber bands-Your so flexible and know how to keep it all together!

Gift Ideas For Everyone

"I am not the boss of my house. I don't know when I lost it. I don't know if I ever had it. But I have seen the boss's job and I do not want it."
-Bill Cosby

We all like feeling appreciated. I enjoy making gifts with kids because it really adds a special touch to any gift idea. We found one that could be for anyone anywhere by simply decorating a jar lid box or small bag you and the kids can really make someones day!

What's inside the Jar:
1 rope-In case you have reached the end of yours.
1 penny for your thoughts
1 roll of Lifesavers-to remind you that your are one.
1 shiny jewel-because your worth a million.
1 bag of rubberbands-to keep you flexible in so many ways.
1 apple-because you're the apple of our eye!

We put this small poem on the inside of a handmade card. It's bound to bring a smile!

Lifes Lessons from Early Childhood

I remember myself in my 'tweens' as I began to experiment with makeup; I was very close to my dad and went everywhere with him and I was definately a, 'Daddy's Girl'. For a while he said nothing about my mis-applying makeup with drunken abandon- I might add - LOL. Then one day we took a drive together to the tool store (one of his favorite places) and somehow he finally got up the nerve to say something about my new look... (of course this was after we had gotten an ice cream soda and I was in a particularly good mood).

The conversation went something like this: "Barb?" ..."Yeah, Dad?"..."Barb?"..."Uh...Dad?..."
"Honey, you look like you ate a bunch of strawberries and then somebody punched you in the eyes." I spit nearly spit my soda everywhere because I started laughing.

After I regained my composure I said, "You think it's too much, huh, Dad?" He said, "Well....Yes! When I went to school I saw girls at my school begin to wear make up some of them were beasts that turned into beauties and then there were beauties that turned into beasts... if you know what I mean. You don't need any make up, honey." With out any resistance I said, "Okay Dad, I get it."

Why could my father speak to me the way he did? He gave me far more compliments than he did criticism, for one thing. I could tell as a child it pained him to do anything to hurt my feelings.

My dad worked a lot, but the time he gave me, he was physically and mentally there for me.
It's no different for me today as a preschool teacher. During the day I am pulled apart in many different directions and wear many different hats. But when I am there for a child-I'm 'there' (mentally, physically and emotionally, I connect. I am honest and I listen with care that what I say can impact what this child learn, feels and reacts to in life). That's the lesson. Be caring. Be honest. Be present.

I know that children know the difference...because I did! I could tell when an adult meant what he or she said and was being honest. Its just a sense we really all have if we listen. We can tell if someone is lying or if they really mean what they are saying and if they are saying things to help or hurt us. Some people say things cruelly or in anger. Some people say things in love because they truly care. I laughed when I was criticized with the make up because I absolutely knew he said what he said in love period. He would never hurt my feelings. This is the honest relationship he built with me.

I have all these peculiar and wonderful memories that I apply as a preschool teacher. Its a gift I have been given I gladly share. Not everyone has a great childhood or one they care to share and pass along. Not everything was perfect nor am I but its my life and I hope I've learned some lessons.

I'm really glad I remember so much of my childhood, the shining good and the gritty bad, the uncomfortable textures of doubt as they all make up the fabric of who I was and who I have become today.

I am hoping to share in the BLOG (Web Log) my account of somehow, I reached adult status and the stories of my life growing up and learning life's lessons. I convey the inevitable crossroad of life where adulthood and childhood intersect. I share because I believe we all are a decision away from playing a much bigger role in humanity. The unsung hero's - teachers and preschool teachers of all.

While we may not be the first prize winners or the Yale Professors but we are the very esteemed Honorable Mentions in life. We can form the most impressionable thoughts in the minds of preschoolers during their first few years of life when life's lessons matter the most. So today my lesson to all that read is be honest, be real and be who YOU were destined to be. Humble or great we all play our part. We are ALL teachers of LIFE. TO our children and the MANY people we come in contact with in this grand life.

You will never know who you have impacted with your time, love or honesty as my dad impacted me with the lesson in honesty and you know what life as simple as it can be is pretty darn good through it all - well...most of the time LOL.

Co-authored by Julie Parker, of Juilee Jiselle St. John and Company
Real Estate and Small Business Consulting with an emphasis in Online Marketing/Blog Designs

Helping Kids Resolve Conflicts

"Teacher! She keeps touchin' me!" We have heard it all haven't we? "Ew! Stop coughin' your amoeba’s on me!" or "She hit me in my man-boob!"..uh, okay-some of they might be pretty original. But to young preschoolers it's serious business and through the ear piercing screams they really are asking me for help. Would I prefer them to ask nicely-of course, however-they are trusting me as their teacher that I will be consistent with them in guiding them through the process of problem solving every time. It's my desire for the children to gain the confidence to work out conflict resolution techniques and problem solving skills themselves. There are some cases where things don't always come up roses. Keeping friendly lines of communication open with parents and supervisors is best. I always keep in mind to remember that young children are still growing and have so much to learn.
Keeping a sense of humor, responding to situations casually yet with focus and concern has really helped in when dealing with a dilemma.
Let's be patient and love them through the process.

Teaching Honesty to Your Preschoolers!

"Level With your child by being honest. Nobody spots a phony quicker than a child."

-Mary MacCracken

Teaching honesty to your preschooler starts with you first being honest with them and developing a relationship with them that they can trust.

A Sense of Humor in Preschool Curriculum

"Well, Art is Art, isn't it? Still, on the other hand, water is water. And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now you tell me what you know."
-Groucho Marx

 Standard preschool curriculum is made up of pre-math, the wonders of science, children's books, and various foundational elements that promote a love of learning....but, a-hem...hold up now........ these children are growing up in a different world then we did. Laughter and humor elevates the mind, increases endorphins and serotonin levels in the body that creates a state of well being and happiness.The best things about humor with children is it doesn't have to make sense...that's what's funny. Common sense tells us there has to be a reason for "funny"...but those are the ones that had common sense educated right out of them. Here are some tried and true games for your preschool curriculum that will get them laughing every time.

Laughable Preschool Curriculum Activities:

Game: Untangle
Age: 2.9+
Number of Children: At least 5

Materials: None (We love that!)
To start: Gather in a circle and everyone hold out their hands in the center of the circle at the teachers command. Then everyone is to randomly grab one hand from any two different children.
Object:To untangle the mess of children without letting go of your hands.
The Play:Anything goes...except, don't let go! Not even if you have an itch...preschoolers do what they can to untangle themselves so no arms are crossed. It's a group effort and everyone wins.
Extension: Put a timer on to make it more exciting.


Individual Finger Play (Preschool Teacher & Infant/Toddler)
Name of Fingerplay:Round and Round the Garden
Round & Round the garden (Swirl index finger on child's open palm)
Goes the teddy bear
one step, two step,(Walk index & middle fingers up child's forearm)
Tickle under there!(Gently,tickle under child's arm)
Extension:Do "Mama", "Daddy", "Baby bear", etc.

Freshen up a familiar story: Give this a try...
Extension: for favorite stories
Ages: 2+

In our preschool curriculum we read our books the children love over and over again. Often times they can repeat every word along with us. Let the children know that you will make a silly mistake when you read a book...challenge them to 'listen and hear it' when it happens. I will say, "One day, the little sandwiches ate their children....." The children laugh and love to let me know I said something silly...I pretend I didn't know what they were talking about, and then I do it again a few minutes later.

Everyone one has adds their own special ingredient as an early childhood educator. Our own special, "niche". What's yours? What do you do to brighten up their world?

Sharing vs Taking Turns in Early Childhood Education

Depending on the age, whether the child has siblings, and situation in the home, a toddler or a preschooler may have a period adjustment in a social situation such as a home daycare or preschool. Montessori calls it a period of "normalizing", or getting used to the social environment.
this requires positive adult guidance and interaction.
Some preschool teacher's believe sharing is a natural occurrence in toddler's and preschoolers and a loving act. It is actually more so developmental and learned-more likely to occur when a child's basic needs are met.
Basic needs of a child:
Well fed/and hydrated 
Diaper changed/body feels comfortable 
Child feels safe and loved

Sharing is considered a to be more a milestone in development than manners for little ones in early childhood programs like mine. When children have positive feelings about sharing it is usually because of a positive environment as well as hitting a milestone in their development.
Supervising and being observant of preschoolers and toddlers is very important. I am often there to narrate their actions for them because so often I see them misinterpreting a loving hug as an assault or vise versa. I encourage taking turns, letting them work out the reasonable amount of time they wish to take a turn-then commending them for sharing when they follow through with the turn taking. Yes.....it takes time. The reward comes when after a while the scenario plays out like this...

"I want to ride bike, Jada." Taylor says.

"Um..5 more minutes, okay?" Says Jada.

"No, 3 more minutes." Says Taylor.

"Okay..." Says Jada. "Come get me." (Taylor runs off to play in the sand).

Jada rides the bike for five more minutes then goes to get Taylor in the sand box.

"Taylor, I done, get your bike!"

"Thanks, Jada!" They high-five each other and switch places.

Tips to Promoting a Sense of Wonder in Early Childhood Education

"Without the playing with fantasy no creative work has ever yet come to birth. The debt we owe to the play of imagination is incalculable."
~Carl Jung

Kids are naturally curious and have a great imagination. Keeping it alive to inspire creative thinking as well as language is part of my job as an early childhood educator. Many of the ways I promote creative thinking and language is through the language I use in the preschool classroom. Here are a few tips to help promate a sense of wonder through open ended questioning.


Teaching Tips to Promote a Sense of Wonder:

"I wonder if/why.." 
"How did that happen?" 
"What if..." 
"How do you think we could..." 
"How do you feel about.." 
"Can you tell me about.." 
"How many different ways can you..." 
"How is___and ___the same?" 
"Do you have some ideas about..."

We are always surprised and delighted by the answers I get from children!

Science and Art in Early Childhood Education

"A young child is, indeed, a true scientist, just one big question mark. What? Why? How? I never cease to marvel at the recurring miracle of growth, to be fascinated by the mystery and wonder of this brave enthusiasm."

-Victoria Wagner

So often when I used to plan my preschool curriculum I would lump science and math together. It is acceptable in early childhood education and I never thought to plan curriculum any other way at first way. Then it hit me, science is all around us just like math...why in tarnation am I always lumping these two together? Why not science and art? Or science and the dramatic play area? The children and I began to look at the preschool curriculum from different points of entry.
One day, I announced we were scientists and we put our magnifiers, tweezers and flashlights on the table and the children brought anything they wanted to the table for a 'closer look'. They were fascinated by the stitching in the doll clothing and the buttons and zippers!
We had played and dressed the dolls for months, but never really noticed how it all held together.
This started a whole new cycle of preschool curriculum the children and the parents were very excited about. SEWING & TEXTILES.
We learned how to sew a buttons, dye fabric, make bean bags, we made fabulous curtains for our room. The families got involved and helped us make a classroom quilt! We even learned the names of textures and fabrics by touching or smelling them!
This was a three-year-old preschool class. The following year the preschool classes enjoyed the unit so much they repeated it and auctioned off the quilts as a fundraiser. It just goes to show when an idea catches fire, people love to come and see it burn.

Teething and Biting in Early Childhood Settings

"Adam and Eve had many advantages, but the principal one was, that they escaped teething."
-Mark Twain

The teething process in different for every baby. Some babies and toddlers sail through it while others endure many symptoms if illness. This is a milestone in the child's development, and although we want them to be as comfortable as possible, it can be a stressful time for both the child, and the caregivers.

Symptoms of Teething:
*Loose BM's
*Restlessness, irritability and disturbed sleep patterns
*Sore, red gums
*Loss or changes in appetite
*A slight rise in temperature
*Drooling (which may cause a rash or sore, chapped skin on the chin)
*A sudden desire to chew anything they can lay their hands on.
*An urge to bite. This should not be perceived as a sign of aggression or anger, more of a means to ease the pain of teething.
Teething toys and proper precautionary measures must be carried out to keep all children safe if biting occurs in the classroom. A caregiver must be consistent and be calm in the manner in with the situation is handled.

I usually follow kids that love to chop casually around with a teething ring in my apron pocket and get a chance to sharpen my reflexes. I get a first hand and up close look at exactly what sets kids off biting in the first place. When I am there to stop biting and redirect anger toward the teething ring I start doing my own personal documentation on the matter. I can see if there were any particular children he/she aimed for, the times of day it occurred, etc. After about a month there was a definite pattern to the behavior.

I'll ask to meet with families and by then I am armed with data and ready to brainstorm possible solutions. The plan was to incorporate 'feelings' and feelings awareness into the preschool curriculum and to empower any child to use the teething ring on his/her own. It is very important that kids learn to get positive attention and socialization rather than the negative attention they may be accustomed to. We sing songs like, 'If your Happy and You Know It' and acted out feelings of sadness and anger...we talk about being angry and that teachers can help you if you get angry or sad. We bring out and read picture books of feelings and read them in groups and individually. We incorporated them in every aspect of the preschool curriculum we could think of until biting slowly begins to subside. I recall one graduate of this plan one day yelling, "Oooh, I so angry!" He reached on my pocket and chomped down on the teething ring....he then put it back in my pocket and went back to playing. Helping kids become personally aware is a great feeling not only for us but for them!

Successful Clean Up Times in Early Childhood Education

"If your house is really a mess and a stranger comes to the door, greet him with, “Who could have done this? We have no enemies.” – Phyllis Diller
 
I really enjoy working in a neat organized space when I comes to the learning environment. All the family day cares I had an opportunity to work at in Vallejo, California were neat, clean and inviting. I have a tremendous amount of respect for family care providers in general. Not only are the entrepreneurs, but are part of the backbone of this nations economy. Licenced family childcare providers assist families to earn more than $100 billion dollars annually (National Woman's Law Center).
It's quite a job keeping things orderly with little ones, let alone multi aged groups. Family day cares usually have infants, toddlers and preschoolers together in the mornings. It is also possible school aged children come in the afternoons. For me, the key was the transitions....you know...that awkward time where everyone is in-between activities.
"Just before" outside time, or "just before" lunch.....that is when we would have a clean up.
This is what I like to do....

The Warning: 5 minutes before clean up I would tell them we will be cleaning up in 5 minutes...(This eventually begins to give them some sense of what 5 minutes feels like).
If I see the room is really...a-hem...overwheming..I will tidy up a little for a head start.

Clean up time: I'll sing a song or we can ring a bell to get their attention, I begin handing toys to children and asking for help, "Please help, where does this block go...ask Amy, I think she knows...I am working just as hard as they are and keeping their attention and focus on task.
I also use a broom to sweep Lego's, puzzles, etc. in small piles for the children to gather. It saves your back in the long run, have the children hold the dustpan for you to scoop up the toys.
We always clap and cheer for a job well done...I like to give Hi-fives.
We usually put the infants and very small toddlers in the playpens during clean up with some favorite toys. Then they can come out and play again. We know they will take the toys out, but the most important thing is keeping our room tidy.

Modeling in the Preschool Environment in Early Childhood Education

  
"The older I get the less I listen to what people say and the more I look at what they do."
~Andrew Carnegie

Modeling and the Early Childhood Educator

"The conscious awareness the early childhood educators have that his/her body language communicates to young children while moving about in the 'learning environment'. It is, in fact, the tone of voice, gestures, facial expressions etc. that one deliberately demonstrates for children to provide 'teachable moments' that we desire children to imitate and learn."~ Barbra Stephens

How do you model within your preschool environment?

Learning from Our Mistakes

"You can never learn less; you can only learn more. The reason I know so much is because I have made so many mistakes."

— Buckminster Fuller

When I was in first grade I was so nervous around my teacher. Sometimes she would make a mistake and the class would giggle. She would get furious...I mean like frothing at the mouth, furious. Her whole head would get really red, and sometimes she would hop around and yell at us. It was really hard not to laugh, then. I mean, we were 5. I would pinch my arm so I wouldn't laugh...but I never understood what the big deal was. Everyone makes mistakes, right? If you say, "Opps, I made a mistake." There. It's over...but she was putting a whole lot of mustard on it.

When I became a preschool teacher and became familiar with my class I remembered my first grade teacher. If there is one thing toddlers and preschoolers like it's slap stick humor. You know, Laural and Hardy, The Three Stooges type humor...it gets them laughing every time. Sometimes when I made a mistake I would magnify it for them in that way...exaggerate it. We would all laugh and have a good time. I noticed at times when they made a mistake they began to laugh at themselves, too. Humor comes with development....I look for ways to bring humor into the preschool curriculum. Laughter is good medicine.

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. ~Victor Borge

Preschool Talk

"The day soldiers stop bring you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them."
— General Colin Powell

"One learns peoples through the heart, not the eyes or the intellect."
— Mark Twain

"The less people know, the more they yell."
— Seth Godin

Definition: Communication

A two way process of sending and receiving messages: the way one chooses to express themselves.

Definition: Effective Communication

The two way process of successfully expressing ones true thoughts and feelings to the appropriate person/people, in the appropriate time environment(s), at the appropriate time(s).

Infants, toddlers and preschool aged children learn by example. They also learn how to behave within certain environments if adults inforce standards. It has been recorded that the average adult spends 3 minutes in actual "meaningful" conversation with our children daily. How often do we as preschool teachers, parents or family caregivers spend time engaging preschoolers in conversation about themselves? Do we provide opportunities for conversation in a group as well as one on one? Often times if we are not planning it within our preschool curriculum- it might not be happening.
Here are some things to think about:

Circle times: This is an opportunity for communication with the children as a group. Although it is primarily a teacher directed activity, you can make it co-active for the children by allowing them to freely speak and contribute to the circle time. You as a teacher model listening, effective communication techniques, manners, etc. Children learn by example.

Snacks and Mealtimes: "Family style" mealtimes means children assist in setting the table, serving, clean up etc. So often we as preschool teachers find it easier to do it all ourselves. But in reality, it's the opposite. Preschoolers get so much more out to the experience of learning to do it themselves and it makes for a language rich mealtime. Did you know that many of the skills they acquire "doing it themselves" are preparing them for Kindergarten?

Playtime: "What did you do today?" or "Tell me a story about your picture?" are great open-ended questions to ask preschoolers once they are engaged in playtime. It works best if you strategically position yourself in a good spot to view all the children and engage the one in conversation. Depending on the environment you work in, you will know the best time to do this. At one particular daycare I had worked at, a child loved to for her and I to share stories about when "we were little". I shared stories about when I was 5, and she shared stories about when she was 4.


"Be amusing: never tell unkind stories; above all, never tell long ones."
— Benjamin Disraeli

Parents As Partners

Leadership...

"Leadership is not magnetic personality, that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not "making friends and influencing people", that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations."
— Peter F. Drucker

Very young children are much like water. They have a tendency to go toward the path of least resistance. They have an amazing ability to sense exactly who is in charge...and who isn't. I have two sisters. We used to triple team the any babysitter that would come to the house. They were putty in our little hands. Then there was this one babysitter that was different. My older sister tried something and our parents were called, immediately.
All three of us stood there in a row with our mouths hanging open-looking like we just got a shot of novocaine.
Our Mom and Dad showed up within minutes.....
Have you ever had that twisted feeling in your gut when you know your in trouble? We could hear the sound of the car pull up and the car doors slam.
The "babysitter-lady" told them everything we did...My parents were nodding and looking at us, they looked upset and disappointed. They made us apologize. We were in big trouble that night.
My parents had a long talk with us the next day and let us know how disappointed they were in all of us. They said they expected us to behave the same way with all grow ups as if they were there.
My parents took a strong leadership roll early in my life. And that 'babysitter-lady' clearly made an impact on me, as well. I saw both her and my parents worked together, supported and upheld one another-they worked as a team.
In the field on early childhood education it is such a blessing to have parents, teachers working together for the education and success of the child-Our preschool curriculum must give opportunities to reflect communication between families or guardians. I strive for it, because I know when a young child sees and experiences it in action-it will forever change their life.

Gossip In the Workplace in Early Childhood Education

 What you don't see with your eyes, don't witness with your mouth.

-Jewish Proverb

Definition: Gossip

Communicating and listening to negative information at the inappropriate time to the inappropriate person(s) to intentionally harm another persons reputation or feelings.

Gossip is an ugly word. It's name seems to hiss when you say it. It is very easy for children to pick up on as well. Grievance Policies and Codes of Ethical Conduct address issues such as gossip in the workplace and must be strictly enforced. In all my years of teaching there is nothing that can bring morale down faster than gossip allowed to flourish in the workplace. Preschool teachers look to the directors to maintain a standard in the workplace, directors look to head supervisors and so on....The focus must always remain on the children-and keeping the preschool environment positive. I have worked in preschool and daycare environments where the "no gossiping" rule was strictly enforced and observed by all staff. It makes for such a pleasant atmosphere. I also noticed that the children are more likely to put a stop to gossiping because they recognize it as not being normal or proper conversation.Many young children are natural trouble shooters. We can teach them to properly and politely tell someone it is not polite to talk about others when they are not around. Once children are instructed in a better way to do this socially, it will not be looked upon as "taddling" or snitching.

Effective communication and positive relationships are key in early childhood development. When we truly value what be teach, we become what we teach.

What have your experiences been? How do you practice effective communication and positive relationships?

Conflict Resolution Techniques in Early Childhood Education

Sticks and stones are hard on bones

Aimed with angry art,

Words can sting like anything

But silence breaks the heart.

~Phyllis McGinley, "Ballade of Lost Objects," 1954

From the time infants begin to make sounds, they learn different ways to communicate and express themselves. Toddlers and preschoolers look to us as parents, preschool teachers, family caregivers etc. to be the good examples and role models for effective communication. "STONES", (I made up this acronym) as in; Sticks and stones will brake my bones...but words will never hurt me...as a child I thought if you said it enough it would come true. It never did, words DO hurt just like sticks and stones. However, conflict resolution works, and these STONES promote peace.

Conflict Resolution Techniques
in Early Childhood Education:
S-T-O-N-E-S
1. Stop any hurtful actions & approach calmly
*Place yourself between the children, at their level
*Use a calm voice & a gentle touch, staying connected to each child
*Always remain neutral rather than take side, do not interrupt or argue.

2.Talk to each child about their feelings.

*"Your face looks sad/angry"
*Tell the children you will hold 'object in question' for now

3.Offer help by gathering information.
*"Tell me your side first, Keisha"
Tell the children you will listen to each of their sides completely.
Demonstrate to them how to listen with respect and courtesy by 'showing them.'

4.Neutralize the problem by restating it.
*"Now, From what I hear...it sounds like the problem is..."

5.Everyone shares their ideas and let the children decide on a solution.
*"What should we do to solve this problem?"
*"How does____feel right now?"
*"What will make____feel better again?"
*Continue to keep encouraging the children to think of solutions and support them to decide on one together.
*Accept the solution the children agree on.

6.Support and follow up with the children.
*"Congratulations! you solved the problem!"
*"Great job! You both worked it out!"


Conflict Resolution is an integrated part of preschool curriculum and will be used over and over again through out a preschool teacher's day. Always follow children through to Step 6. They both must feel a sense of completion...even if they decide they no longer want the toy/object in question...a decision was still made, and that is still to be commended that the situation was worked out.

Values and The Preschool Teacher

"Cheshire puss? Asked Alice," Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to go." Said the cat.
"I don't much care where." said Alice.

"Then it doesn't matter which way you go." said the cat.
-Chareles "Lewis Carol" Dodgson 1832-1898, Alice's Adventure's In Wonderland

(You must) choose to feel good. Life and business are tough, but in the midst of all that a critical decision must be made: will I let my emotions rule me or will I rule my emotions? There is nothing worse than someone that can't make a decision when everything is on the line.
-Micheal E. Parker, CEO Stellar Enterprise

Definition: Values

The inner most desiring force that guides your decisions and behaviors a a result of learned experiences of time.

Working as family caregivers, preschool teachers, directors, and or parents we each have our own set of values. When we identify what our TRUE values are we will see them manifest through the decisions we make and the behaviors we display. Depending on where we work and what we do, on average 80% of our day is spend managing children or people.

As "overseers" of our environment, are our values evident in the classroom or home environment simply by looking around? Are the children busy and happy? Do I feel happy and positive?

Do we bring anything extra to the table when it comes to caring for young children? How we implement our preschool curriculum says a lot about our values.

I made a decision to be an advocate for preschool children. To listen to them and let them have as much of a childhood as they could get. I learned many things through nature and just being allowed to be a kid. This isn't the case for many children in this day and age...especially with the technology we have today. In more cases than not I am seeing a growing trend with technology robbing children of their social skills.

It is easy to tell a child what to do. But to teach, it takes something out of you.

What values do we as early childhood educators bring into our own learning environments?

"Let's make a dent in the universe."
— Steve Jobs

Does Discipline Hurt Our Kids Self Esteem?

 "If we don't discipline ourselves, 
the world will do it for us."
-William Feather

Common Myths About Self-Esteem and Discipline

Myth: Symptoms of low self-esteem are "biting, hitting or fighting" with others.
Truth: Toddlers or preschoolers with aggressive behaviors or that my have "bullying" attributes have been shown to have a very high self regard.

Myth: Low self-esteem in the early years will effect the child's academic scores later on.
Truth: Low academic scores affect a child's self-esteem, success contributes by raising child's self-esteem. This is why we as teacher's love to set children up for success!

Myth: How a child feels about his/or herself effects their success in life...
Truth: Actually, studies have shown and continue to prove that a child's level of self-control as well as their ability to be patient, wait, and delay rewards is a strong indicator for life success.

We live in a time where everything is fast or instant. A number of years ago a study was done called the,"Marshmallow Test". Children of various ages were told they could have a marshmallow now, or wait a few minutes and get more marshmallows. Of all the children tested, only a small number actually had the discipline to wait. The children were followed through out their lives and those that had the internal discipline, had better marriages, went to college, and had no issues with debt. Of the children that gobbled the marshmallows immediately....it was the opposite. Self-esteem and the young child may not be the real issue when we are dealing with situations in the home, preschool classroom or the family daycare. For as much as we love and care for our little ones, we as teacher's and parents must recognize that over indulging our young ones could do more harm than good.

Bonding in Early Childhood Education

Albert Einstein once said,"Believe it or not one of my greatest regrets is that I didn't teach.I regret this because I would have liked to have more contact with children. There has always been something about the innocence and the freshness of young children that appeals to me and brings me great enjoyment to be with them. And they are always open to have knowledge. I have never really found it difficult to explain the basic laws of nature to children. When you reach them at their level, you can read in their eyes their genuine interest and appreciation"

When I first started "teaching" it didn't feel natural. I felt intimidated by the children. I got nervous if they cried or asked me a question I didn't know the answer to. What was worse is that the children picked up on my nervousness right away.
They were a group of three-year-old preschoolers.

"You're 'new' aren't you-Tee-Hee?"

"But, we are allow-ed to stand on da table, Teacher!"
"You smell funny...can I cut your hairs wit sciss-o-s?"

I went home with a headache. The kind one gets just before one throws up.
Einstein was right...mind you. There is a that innocent, fresh side, and he explains it quite well. It is something you could only understand if you've experienced it for yourself.
To laugh, to cry, to play and experience to joy and pains of a child's world. Teaching takes something out of you-and it's no small thing. But to actually bond with a child-now that turns the page and takes learning to a whole new dimension.
You can't see it, touch it, taste- smell or hear it. No one really knows when it happens....the exact moment when you and a child bond.
In a learning environment, wherever it maybe; classroom or family daycare-multiply that bonding experience with every infant, toddler and preschooler...
The results are astounding. The effect it has on the immediate environment is that of harmony, laughter,and a "family" atmosphere.
What a treat it would have been to have been taught by Mr. Einstein. 
He knew what it was like to learn while he taught...

The Honorable Mentions

"There is always one moment in childhood when the  door opens and lets the future in." 

~Graham Greene, The Power and the Glory 

 

Something my father told me really helped me as I became a teacher.
I came home from school one day with my third, 'Honorable Mention' ribbon. I was really disappointed. I never quite seemed to make first place, or second or third place....I was always mentioned last.
"Why do you complain when you are given such an honor? He questioned me with concern,"Look up, 'honorable' in the dictionary and you tell me what it means."

Honorable; Of high rank, dignity, or distinction: noble, illustrious, or distinguished. Upright.

I went back to my father and smiled.
"Why does my teacher always hand out the 'Honorable Mentions' last, then?" I sighed as he put his arm around me.
"Good question," He said smiling back at me. ( I really liked it when he said I had a good question). "This world is backwards sometimes, first is last and last is first-remember not to forget."

I was eight-years-old.

I still strove to be the best I could be...but when my name wasn't called it wasn't always so bad.

I suppose as we get older there is depth to what we learn and remember as children. I remember the comforting words of my dad...back then, and that being last is okay.

Now as an adult I can see what it means to truly give of yourself. To sacrifice of your time, energy, and to love and not expect anything in return. 

I guess if you do stand still in life you wind up walking backwards....

Building, moving on, success.....for all us Honorable Mentions out there.

That's progress.